THE COMING STORM: A Thriller by Mark Alpert “Using his background in science, Alpert has crafted a tale that begins with the U.S. government ignoring the effects of climate change and then abandoning human rights in a misguided attempt to control the resulting chaos. A frightening apocalypse thriller…”–Booklist

THE DARKEST TIME OF NIGHT by Jeremy Finley
When the seven-year-old grandson of U.S. Senator vanishes in the woods behind his home, the only witness is his older brother who whispers, “The lights took him,” and then never speaks again. “[An] outstanding debut… Finley’s complex portrayal of his heroic lead will carry readers through plot developments that would come across as unconvincing in the hands of a lesser writer. X-Files fans will be enthralled.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

LIKE TO DIE by David Housewright
A seemingly simple investigation takes Rushmore McKenzie down a dark and twisted path. “This is the fifteenth in the series, and it’s just as fresh as the first. Housewright makes telling a cracking-good mystery look effortless, and that means fans are in store for another thoroughly enjoyable read.” — Booklistreadmoreremove

GRIST MILL ROAD by Christopher J. YatesA January 2018 Indie Next pick with THREE starred reviews! The author of BLACK CHALK, an NPR Best Book of the Year optioned for film by Ron Howard, returns with a thriller about Patrick, Matthew, and Hannah, who are bound together in a love triangle held tighter by one seemingly senseless but decidedly criminal act that has devastating results 26 years later. “Mesmerizing and impossible to put down, this novel demands full attention, full empathy, and full responsibility; in return it offers poignant insight into human fragility and resilience.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

JUST BETWEEN US by Rebecca Drake
Four suburban mothers and friends conspire to cover up a deadly crime in this heart-stopping novel of suspense in the tradition of Lisa Scottoline and Lisa Unger. “This tale of deceit begins with our favorite premise [and] winds its roller-coaster plot around our tendency to see exactly what we are looking for—while our little lies take on dangerous lives of their own.” — Oprah.com

STRANGERS by Ursula Archer & Arno Strobel
A shocking thriller that explores what happens when mysterious foul play causes a woman not to recognize or remember her fiancé, but forces the couple to trust each other and fight the odds. “Nuanced characters, a complex plot, and a skillfully woven alternating narrative drive the story toward a denouement that shocks….” — Publishers Weekly

DARKNESS SING ME A SONG by David Housewright
The Edgar Award-winning Holland Taylor series returns with a case of murder resulting from tragic, twisted drama in an extremely wealthy family. “The knots are many and messy, and Holland shows he has the wit and character to untangle them.” — Publishers Weeklyreadmoreremove

Now on to this week’s new books!

HE SAID/SHE SAID by Erin KellyTwo starred reviews! On the eve of a solar eclipse, a couple forced into hiding discovers that they can no longer run from their past in this taut psychological suspense novel. “HE SAID/SHE SAID is a thriller to savor, and should be one of the highlights of the summer.” — Associated Press

WOLF ON A STRING by Benjamin Black
Bestselling author Black turns his eye to sixteenth century Prague and a story of murder, magic and the dark art of wielding extraordinary power. “Black displays his mastery of yet another mystery subgenre in this brooding, atmospheric whodunit set in 16th-century Prague. Superior prose complements the intricate plot.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

YOU BELONG TO ME by Colin Harrison
An elite immigration attorney and obsessive collector of antique New York City maps is drawn into a swiftly escalating series of murders in Harrison’s latest whodunit. “In his latest New York-centered crime thriller, Harrison spins a tightly wound tale of obsession and betrayal. The narrative is as impressively constructed as the maps in Paul’s collection: each section laid out in seamless order to allow for a satisfyingly neat conclusion.” — Publishers Weeklyreadmoreremove

Three detectives and two true crime stories are part of today’s all-star #ThrillerThursday lineup:

STEALING THE COUNTESS by David Housewright
“A Stradivarius goes missing and all hell breaks loose in the thirteenth entry in Edgar-winning Housewright’s very strong Mac McKenzie series. Greatly enhancing the story are the fascinating details Housewright provides on the history and design of these priceless instruments.” — Booklist, starred review

A GOOD MONTH FOR MURDER: The Inside Story of a Homicide Squad by Del Quentin Wilber
“With the police chief granting almost unprecedented access, Wilber was able to produce a rare snapshot of homicide investigation in action, from crime scenes through families’ homes, interrogation rooms, and squad rooms. A fascinating report written in a relentless, real-life noir tone.” — Booklist, starred review

TRUE CRIME ADDICT: How I Lost Myself in the Mysterious Disappearance of Maura Murray by James Renner
“Former investigative journalist Renner takes the reader on his dark journey unraveling the disappearance of University of Massachusetts Amherst student Maura Murray, who went missing in 2004. An entrancing, brilliant next step for fans of the podcast Serial, Netflix’s Making a Murderer, and other true crime cases.”
— Library Journal, starred review

SEVEN DAYS DEAD by John Farrow
Retired Montreal police detective Émile Cinq-Mars is on an island vacation with his wife when he’s drawn into a murder investigation. “Cinq-Mars is a master at teasing meaning out of nuance, both in his encounters with suspects and in his wonderfully rich relationship with his wife. A delight for followers of Louise Penny and Donna Leon.” — Booklist, starred review

CITY OF JACKALS by Parker Bilal
Detective Makana’s latest investigations during the political uprising in Cairo continue the dangers he fled in Khartoum. “A new best for this absorbing series, this fifth entry offers a must-read, street-level look at African politics; a compelling personal journey; and a top-rate mystery.” — Booklist, starred reviewreadmoreremove

Detectives, P.I.’s and true crime, oh my!

THE KILL by Jane Casey
“The Maeve Kerrigan mysteries seem to get better each time out, and this fifth complex police procedural has an emotional resonance that makes it the best yet. Recommend this series to Ian Rankin fans and to those who follow Prime Suspect creator Lynda La Plante’s Anna Travis novels.” — Booklist, starred review

90 CHURCH: Inside America’s Notorious First Narcotics Squad by Dean UnkeferMad Men meets The Wire in this gripping true-crime memoir by a former agent at the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in 1960s New York. “The book has the same feel as Peter Maas’ SERPICO and Robert Daley’s PRINCE OF THE CITY, both nonfiction accounts (later turned into popular films) of cops who struggled to keep their moral and ethical equilibriums. For anyone interested in true crime from the cop’s point of view.” — Booklist

In today's #ThrillerThursday roundup, we've got a fallen detective, a couple of good private eyes, and a map-obsessed misfit clerk:

A DARK AND TWISTED TIDE by Sharon BoltonIn the latest Lacey Flint mystery, the detective—now part of the marine police—finds a shrouded body in the river. And that's just the first one... “Bolton...delights in a kind of gothic horror, weaving suspenseful tales featuring complex, often tormented characters. Just as readers think they know the killer's identity, there is another shocking twist in this...gripping tale by a master of the genre.” — Library Journal

THE DEVIL MAY CARE by David HousewrightIn Housewright's “exceptional” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) latest Rushmore McKenzie novel, the search for a suddenly missing man entangles the unlicensed P.I. with one of the most powerful—and ruthless—local families. “Housewright not only delivers steadily growing suspense, but also provides a canny tour of the high and low life in and around the Twin Cities, including an unforgettable tour of the posh Lake Minnetonka. Housewright may be the best Minnesota Noir writer going.” — Booklist, starred review

BLACK CURRENT by Karen KeskinenWhile investigating a local murder in an aquarium, P.I. Jaymie Zarlin stumbles onto new clues about her own brother's death three years ago. “Keskinen juggles multiple plotlines skillfully and develops secondary characters (notably Jaymie’s selfappointed personal assistant, Gabi Gutierrez) in this second entry in an appealing series.” — Booklist

THE CITY UNDER THE SKINby Geoff NicholsonThe appearance of a group of mysterious women, their backs crudely and extensively tattooed with maps, draws together a cartography-obsessed misfit clerk from an antique map store, a petty criminal, and a ruthless but vulnerable killer and his disgruntled accomplice. “With its fast-paced, dryly witty dialogue; looming, darkened cityscapes; wonderfully offbeat characters, including an enforcer with childcare problems; and metaphoric riffs on disorientation, this is a hugely entertaining crime novel.” — Booklist, starred review

TGIF friends! We're in Minotaur #FridayReads heaven with these three mysteries that have multiple starred pre-publication reviews!

THE WOLVERINE BROS. FREIGHT & STORAGEby Steve UlfelderAs Conway Sax vows to avenge fellow AA member Eudora Spoon's murder, he gets increasingly caught up with family drama between her two sons.

“Action stoked, this complicated thriller-both for the character study and the murder plot-satisfies on many levels. The intense culture of AA and recovery is particularly well done. Pair with Robert Crais or Archer Mayor.” — Library Journal, starred review

“Stellar... Sax, a Spenser-like paladin more plausible than Robert B. Parker’s original Spenser, makes mistakes that are front and center and whose consequences resonate from book to book. Fans will be interested to see what effect this entry’s hard knocks on Sax’s soul have down the line.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

THE DEVIL MAY CAREby David HousewrightThe search for a suddenly missing man entangles unlicensed P.I. Rushmore McKenzie with one of the most powerful—and ruthless—local families.

“Housewright not only delivers steadily growing suspense, but also provides a canny tour of the high and low life in and around the Twin Cities, including an unforgettable tour of the posh Lake Minnetonka. Housewright may be the best Minnesota Noir writer going.” — Booklist, starred review

THE LATE SCHOLAR by Jill Paton WalshLord Peter Wimsey and his detective novelist wife, Harriet Vane, return to uncover a disappearance related to a valuable manuscript at Oxford in Walsh's brilliant new continuation of Dorothy L. Sayers's classic mysteries.

“Walsh’s pitch-perfect re-creation of the charismatic leads is a delight. Sayers fans can only hope for more.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

♫♪♫♫♪ 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Flatiron Building, Not a publicist was pitching, not even a phone a ringing.The books were already put up on the shelves with care,Because no one at Macmillan would be there. ♫♪♫♫♪

Macmillan's offices are closed from 1:00pm on Tuesday, Dec. 24 through New Year's Day and we intend to do a lot of reading while we're off for a long, winter break! We hope you do, too. Remember to get whitelisted* on Edelweiss for access to Macmillan e-galleys. Here's how:

1. Register for Edelweiss with your library-issued e-mail address.2. Send Anne an email that includes the e-mail address you registered with, your full name, and your current library (subject: Edelweiss).3. Wait for Anne to send you a confirmation message, then download to your heart's delight and nominate titles you love for LibraryReads*Whitelisting is only available to librarians currently employed in the U.S.

And now, let the feverish downloading begin!

THE SNOW QUEENby Michael CunninghamA darkly luminous new novel about two brothers searching for transcendence from the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of THE HOURS. Coming May 6 from Farrar, Straus & Giroux.

BONE DUST WHITEby Karin SalvaggioWhen a young woman witnesses the murder of her mother who had abandoned her as a child, Detective Macy Greeley must return to solve the murder and stop a killer in this incredible debut. Coming May 13 from Minotaur Books.

THE HOLLOW GROUND by Natalie S. HarnettSet amongst the deadly coal mine fires of 1960s Pennsylvania, THE HOLLOW GROUND is an extraordinary debut that will “grab you by the brisket and not let go.” (Gary Shteyngart) OK for YA! Coming May 13 from Thomas Dunne Books.

MY REAL CHILDRENby Jo WaltonThe new novel from the author of the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning AMONG OTHERS: a powerful tale of one woman who has lived two lives. Coming May 20 from Tor Books.

DARK AEMILIAby Sally O'ReillyA tale of sorcery and passion in 17th century London—where witches haunt William Shakespeare and his dark lady, the playwright's muse and one true love. Coming May 27 from Picador.

THE DEVIL MAY CAREby David HousewrightThe search for a suddenly missing man entangles unlicensed P.I. Rushmore McKenzie with one of the most powerful—and ruthless—local families. Coming June 3 from Minotaur Books.

THE GLASS KITCHENby Linda Francis LeeThree sisters move from Texas to New York City to open a restaurant in this novel about food, family, and finding true love from the author of EMILY AND EINSTEIN. Coming June 17 from St. Martin's Press.

ONE EVENING IN PARISby Nicolas BarreauIn a little cinema in Paris, dreams suddenly come true, and Nicolas Barreau shows us again that every love has its own special secret. Coming July 1 from St. Martin's Griffin.

HIGH AS THE HORSES BRIDLESby Scott CheshireAn urgent, electric debut novel about inheritance, belief, and a father and son divided by a dangerous prophecy. Coming July 8 from Henry Holt.

We hope you all have a lovely holiday and a safe, happy New Year. We'll see you all again in 2014!